Channel scan logic

ABSTRACT

A device that can autonomously scan a sensor panel is disclosed. Autonomous scanning can be performed by implementing channel scan logic. In one embodiment, channel scan logic carries out many of the functions that a processor would normally undertake, including generating timing sequences and obtaining result data; comparing scan result data against a threshold value (e.g., in an auto-scan mode); generating row count; selecting one or more scanning frequency bands; power management control; and performing an auto-scan routine in a low power mode.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/730,162, filed Jun. 3, 2015 and published on Sep. 24, 2015 as U.S.Patent Publication No. 2015-0268791, which is continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/448,893, filed Jul. 31, 2014 and issuedon Jun. 23, 2015 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,063,601, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/343,604, filed on Jan. 4, 2012 andissued on Sep. 16, 2014 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,836,656, which iscontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/650,201, filed Jan.3, 2007 and issued on Jan. 10, 2012 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,094,128, theentire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by references intheir entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to sensor panels used as input devicesfor computing systems, and more particularly, using logic circuitry toautonomously detect and process events (e.g., a touching or a neartouching of an object) on a sensor panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many types of input devices are presently available for performingoperations in a computing system, such as buttons or keys, mice,trackballs, touch panels, joysticks, touch screens and the like. Touchscreens, in particular, are becoming increasingly popular because oftheir ease and versatility of operation as well as their decliningprice. Touch screens may include a touch panel, which may be a clearpanel with a touch-sensitive surface. The touch panel may be positionedin front of a display screen so that the touch-sensitive surface coversthe viewable area of the display screen. Touch screens may allow a userto make selections and move a cursor by simply touching the displayscreen via a finger or stylus. In general, the touch screen mayrecognize the touch and position of the touch on the display screen, andthe computing system may interpret the touch and thereafter perform anaction based on the touch event.

One limitation of many conventional touch panel technologies is thatthey are only capable of reporting a single point or touch event, evenwhen multiple objects come into contact with the sensing surface. Thatis, they lack the ability to track multiple points of contact at thesame time. Thus, even when two points are touched, these conventionaldevices only identify a single location, which is typically the averagebetween the two contacts (e.g. a conventional touchpad on a notebookcomputer provides such functionality). This single-point identificationis a function of the way these devices provide a value representative ofthe touch point, which is generally by providing an average resistanceor capacitance value.

Moreover, detecting and processing of events detected on a sensor panelcan take a significant amount of processing power. The significantamount of processing can make a processor too busy to perform otherfunctions and can slow down devices using a sensor panel. Additionally,processors typically consume a significant amount of power duringoperation, which can be particularly problematic when a sensor panel isused in conjunction with a hand held device, as many hand-held deviceshave a limited power supply.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, various embodiments of the invention can autonomously scana sensor panel, with little or no intervention from a processor.Autonomous scanning can be performed by implementing channel scan logic.In one embodiment, channel scan logic carries out many of the functionsthat a processor would normally undertake, including generating rowcount; selecting one or more scanning frequency bands; generating timingsequences and obtaining result data; comparing scan result data againsta threshold value (e.g., in an auto-scan mode); power managementcontrol; and performing an auto-scan routine in a low power mode.

Use of channel scan logic to implement one or more of the abovedescribed functions can permit a processor to perform other tasks orpower down. For example, in an auto-scan mode, channel logic performsperiodic scans of a sensor panel with the sensor system in a low powermode. Once input is detected, then channel scan logic can wake up theprocessor. In a scan assist mode, the channel scan logic autonomouslyscans a sensor panel and provides results of the scans to the processorfor further processing.

Channel scan logic may be also programmed to scan a sensor panel in oneof a number of different ways. For example, channel scan logic can beprogrammed to scan a sensor panel using a continuous mode, a row-by-rowmode, a frame-by-frame mode or a dual frame mode. Additional timing androw scanning parameters may also be varied to perform a desired scan.Accordingly, channel scan logic is very flexible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a computing system utilizing a mutli-touch panelinput device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2a illustrates a capacitive multi-touch panel in accordance withone embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2b is a side view of a capacitive touch sensor or pixel in asteady-state (no-touch) condition in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 2c is a side view of capacitive touch sensor or pixel in a dynamic(touch) condition in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3a illustrates an analog channel in accordance with one embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 3b is a more detailed illustration of a virtual ground chargeamplifier at the input of an analog channel, and the capacitancecontributed by a capacitive touch sensor and seen by the chargeamplifier in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3c illustrates a signal with multiple pulse trains each having afixed number of pulses, each pulse train having a different frequencyFstim in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates noise rejection techniques employed by variousfiltering algorithms in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a sequence in which stimulus waveforms of varyingfrequencies are applied to the multi-touch sensor in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating logic circuitry of channel scanlogic in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates channel timing sequences associated with the channellogic of FIG. 6 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8a illustrates an exemplary computing system utilizing both amulti-touch panel and proximity sensor according to various embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 8b illustrates an exemplary mobile telephone that may includemulti-touch panel, display device, and other computing system blocksaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8c illustrates an exemplary digital audio/video player that mayinclude a multi-touch panel, a display device, and other computingsystem blocks according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following description of preferred embodiments, reference is madeto the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which itis shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which theinvention may be practiced. It is to be understood that otherembodiments may be used and structural changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention.

A plurality of touch sensors in a multi-touch panel can enable acomputing system to sense multi-touch events (the touching of fingers orother objects upon a touch-sensitive surface at distinct locations atabout the same time) and perform additional functions not previouslyavailable with touch sensor devices.

Although some embodiments may be described herein in terms of capacitivetouch sensors in a multi-touch panel, it should be understood thatembodiments of the invention are not so limited, but are generallyapplicable to the use of any type of multi-touch sensor technology thatmay include resistive touch sensors, surface acoustic wave touchsensors, electromagnetic touch sensors, near field imaging touchsensors, and the like. Furthermore, although the touch sensors in themulti-touch panel may be described herein in terms of an orthogonalarray of touch sensors having rows and columns, it should be understoodthat embodiments of the invention are not limited to orthogonal arrays,but may be generally applicable to touch sensors arranged in any numberof dimensions and orientations, including diagonal, concentric circle,and three-dimensional and random orientations.

In general, multi-touch panels may be able to detect multiple touches(touch events or contact points) that occur at or about the same time,and identify and track their locations. Examples of multi-touch panelsare described in Applicant's co-pending U.S. application Ser. No.10/840,862 entitled “Multipoint Touchscreen,” filed on May 6, 2004 andissued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,663,607 on Feb. 16, 2010, the contents ofwhich are incorporated by reference herein.

It should be understood that although embodiments of this invention areprimarily described herein for use with touch sensor panels, proximitysensor panels may also be used to generate modulated output signals fordetection by the analog channels. Proximity sensor panels are describedin Applicants' concurrently filed U.S. application Ser. No. 11/649,998entitled “Proximity and Multi-Touch Sensor Detection and Demodulation,”filed on Jan. 3, 2007 and published as U.S. Published Application No.2008/0158172 on Jul. 3, 2008, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

Furthermore, although this disclosure may describe detecting input interms of touch-events, it should be understood that the variousembodiments disclosed herein may detect near touches or hover events aswell. Accordingly, a touch, a near-touch or a hover may be referred toas an “event” and multiple events that occur at or about the same timemay be referred to as “multi-events.”

FIG. 1 illustrates computing system 100 using touch sensors according toone embodiment. Computing system 100 may correspond to computing devicessuch as desktops, laptops, tablets or handhelds, including personaldigital assistants (PDAs), digital music and/or video players and mobiletelephones. Computing system 100 may also correspond to public computersystems such as information kiosks, automated teller machines (ATM),point of sale machines (POS), industrial machines, gaming machines,arcade machines, vending machines, airline e-ticket terminals,restaurant reservation terminals, customer service stations, libraryterminals, learning devices, and the like.

Computing system 100 may include one or more multi-touch panelprocessors 102 and peripherals 104, and multi-touch subsystem 106. Theone or more processors 102 can be ARM968 processors or other processorswith similar functionality and capabilities. However, in otherembodiments, the multi-touch panel processor functionality may beimplemented instead by dedicated logic such as a state machine.Peripherals 104 may include, but are not limited to, random accessmemory (RAM) or other types of memory or storage, watchdog timers andthe like. Multi-touch subsystem 106 may include, but is not limited to,one or more analog channels 108, channel scan logic 110 and driver logic114. Channel scan logic 110 may access RAM 112, autonomously read datafrom the analog channels and provide control for the analog channels.This control may include multiplexing columns of multi-touch panel 124to analog channels 108. In addition, channel scan logic 110 may controlthe driver logic and stimulation signals being selectively applied torows of multi-touch panel 124. In some embodiments, multi-touchsubsystem 106 may be integrated into a single application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC).

Driver logic 114 can provide multiple multi-touch subsystem outputs 116and can present a proprietary interface that drives high voltage driver,which is comprised of decoder 120 and subsequent level shifter anddriver stage 118, although level-shifting functions could be performedbefore decoder functions. Level shifter and driver 118 can provide levelshifting from a low voltage level (e.g. CMOS levels) to a higher voltagelevel, providing a better signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio for noisereduction purposes. Decoder 120 can decode the drive interface signalsto one out of N outputs, whereas N is the maximum number of rows in thepanel. Decoder 120 can be used to reduce the number of drive linesneeded between the high voltage driver and multi-touch panel 124. Eachmulti-touch panel row input 122 can drive one or more rows inmulti-touch panel 124. In some embodiments, driver 118 and decoder 120can be integrated into a single ASIC. However, in other embodimentsdriver 118 and decoder 120 can be integrated into driver logic 114, andin still other embodiments driver 118 and decoder 120 can be eliminatedentirely.

Multi-touch panel 124 can in some embodiments include a capacitivesensing medium having a plurality of row traces or driving lines and aplurality of column traces or sensing lines, although other sensingmedia may also be used. The row and column traces may be formed from atransparent conductive medium, such as Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) orAntimony Tin Oxide (ATO), although other transparent and non-transparentmaterials, such as copper, can also be used. In some embodiments, therow and column traces can be formed on opposite sides of a dielectricmaterial, and can be perpendicular to each other, although in otherembodiments other non-orthogonal orientations are possible. For example,in a polar coordinate system, the sensing lines can be concentriccircles and the driving lines can be radially extending lines (or viceversa). It should be understood, therefore, that the terms “row” and“column,” “first dimension” and “second dimension,” or “first axis” and“second axis” as used herein are intended to encompass not onlyorthogonal grids, but the intersecting traces of other geometricconfigurations having first and second dimensions (e.g. the concentricand radial lines of a polar-coordinate arrangement). It should also benoted that in other embodiments, the rows and columns can be formed on asingle side of a substrate, or can be formed on two separate substratesseparated by a dielectric material. In some embodiments, the dielectricmaterial can be transparent, such as glass, or can be formed from othermaterials, such as mylar. An additional dielectric cover layer may beplaced over the row or column traces to strengthen the structure andprotect the entire assembly from damage.

At the “intersections” of the traces, where the traces pass above andbelow each other (but do not make direct electrical contact with eachother), the traces essentially form two electrodes (although more thantwo traces could intersect as well). Each intersection of row and columntraces can represent a capacitive sensing node and can be viewed aspicture element (pixel) 126, which can be particularly useful whenmulti-touch panel 124 is viewed as capturing an “image” of touch. (Inother words, after multi-touch subsystem 106 has determined whether atouch event has been detected at each touch sensor in the multi-touchpanel, the pattern of touch sensors in the multi-touch panel at which atouch event occurred can be viewed as an “image” of touch (e.g. apattern of fingers touching the panel).) The capacitance between row andcolumn electrodes appears as a stray capacitance on all columns when thegiven row is held at DC and as a mutual capacitance Csig when the givenrow is stimulated with an AC signal. The presence of a finger or otherobject near or on the multi-touch panel can be detected by measuringchanges to Csig. The columns of multi-touch panel 124 can drive one ormore analog channels 108 (also referred to herein as event detection anddemodulation circuits) in multi-touch subsystem 106. In someembodiments, each column is coupled to one dedicated analog channel 108.However, in other embodiments, the columns may be couplable via ananalog switch to a fewer number of analog channels 108.

Computing system 100 can also include host processor 128 for receivingoutputs from multi-touch panel processor 102 and performing actionsbased on the outputs that may include, but are not limited to, moving anobject such as a cursor or pointer, scrolling or panning, adjustingcontrol settings, opening a file or document, viewing a menu, making aselection, executing instructions, operating a peripheral deviceconnected to the host device, answering a telephone call, placing atelephone call, terminating a telephone call, changing the volume oraudio settings, storing information related to telephone communicationssuch as addresses, frequently dialed numbers, received calls, missedcalls, logging onto a computer or a computer network, permittingauthorized individuals access to restricted areas of the computer orcomputer network, loading a user profile associated with a user'spreferred arrangement of the computer desktop, permitting access to webcontent, launching a particular program, encrypting or decoding amessage, and/or the like. Host processor 128 may also perform additionalfunctions that may not be related to multi-touch panel processing, andcan be coupled to program storage 132 and display device 130 such as anLCD display for providing a user interface (UI) to a user of the device.

FIG. 2a illustrates exemplary capacitive multi-touch panel 200. FIG. 2aindicates the presence of a stray capacitance Cstray at each pixel 202located at the intersection of a row 204 and a column 206 trace(although Cstray for only one column is illustrated in FIG. 2 forpurposes of simplifying the figure). Note that although FIG. 2aillustrates rows 204 and columns 206 as being substantiallyperpendicular, they need not be so aligned, as described above. In theexample of FIG. 2a , AC stimulus Vstim 214 is being applied to one row,with all other rows connected to DC. The stimulus causes a charge to beinjected into the column electrodes through mutual capacitance at theintersecting points. This charge is Qsig=Csig×Vstm. Each of columns 206may be selectively connectable to one or more analog channels (seeanalog channels 108 in FIG. 1).

FIG. 2b is a side view of exemplary pixel 202 in a steady-state(no-touch) condition. In FIG. 2b , an electric field of electric fieldlines 208 of the mutual capacitance between column 206 and row 204traces or electrodes separated by dielectric 210 represents a signalcapacitance Csig between the row and column electrodes and can cease acharge to be injected form a stimulated row to a column electrode. SinceCsig is referenced to virtual ground, it also makes up a straycapacitance. For example, a total stray capacitance of a columnelectrode can be the sum of all signal capacitances Csig between a givencolumn and all row electrodes. Assuming that CSig is for example 0.75 pFand a column electrode is intersected by fifteen row electrodes, thetotal stray capacitance on that column electrode would be at least15×0.75 pF=11.25 pF. In reality, however, the total stray capacitance islikely larger due to a trace stray capacitance of the column electrodeto the multi-touch ASIC or other stray capacitances in the system.

FIG. 2c is a side view of exemplary pixel 202 in a dynamic (touch)condition. In FIG. 2c , finger 212 has been placed near pixel 202.Finger 212 is a low-impedance object at signal frequencies, andrepresents an CA ground return path to via body capacitance Cbody. Thebody has a self-capacitance to ground Cbody, which is a function of,among other things, body size and geometry. If finger 212 blocks someelectric field lines 208 between the row and column electrodes (thosefringing fields that exit the dielectric and pass through the air abovethe row electrode), those electric field lines are shunted to groundthrough the capacitance path inherent in the finger and the body, and asa result, the steady state signal capacitance Csig is reduced byCsig_sense. In other words, the combined body and finger capacitance actto reduce Csig by an amount ΔCsig (which can also be referred to hereinas Csig_sense), and can act as a shunt or dynamic return path to ground,blocking some of the electric fields as resulting in a reduced netsignal capacitance. The signal capacitance at the pixel becomesCsig−ΔCsig, where Csig represents the static (no touch) component andΔCsig represents the dynamic (touch) component. Note that Csig−ΔCsig mayalways be nonzero due to the inability of a finger, palm or other objectto block all electric fields, especially those electric fields thatremain entirely within the dielectric material. In addition, it shouldbe understood that as a finger is pushed harder or more completely ontothe multi-touch panel, the finger can tend to flatten, blocking more andmore of the electric fields, and thus ΔCsig can be variable andrepresentative of how completely the finger is pushing down on the panel(i.e. a range from “no-touch” to “full-touch”).

Referring again to FIG. 2a , as mentioned above, Vstim signal 214 can beapplied to a row in multi-touch panel 200 so that a change in signalcapacitance can be detected when a finger, palm or other object ispresent. Vstim signal 214 can include one or more pulse trains 216 at aparticular frequency, with each pulse train including of a number ofpulses. Although pulse trains 216 are shown as square waves, otherwaveshapes such as sine waves can also be employed. A plurality of pulsetrains 216 at different frequencies can be transmitted for noisereduction purposes to minimize the effect of any noise sources. Vstimsignal 214 essentially injects a charge into the row via signalcapacitance Csig, and can be applied to one row of multi-touch panel 200at a time while all other rows are held at a DC level. However, in otherembodiments, the multi-touch panel may be divided into two or moresections, with Vstim signal 214 being simultaneously applied to one rowin each section and all other rows in that region section held at a DCvoltage.

Each analog channel coupled to a column can provide a resultrepresenting a mutual capacitance between a row being stimulated and acolumn the row is connected to. Specifically, this mutual capacitance iscomprised of the signal capacitance Csig and any change Csig_sense inthat signal capacitance due to the presence of a finger, palm or otherbody part or object. These column values provided by the analog channelsmay be provided in parallel while a single row is being stimulated, ormay be provided in series. If all of the values representing the signalcapacitances for the columns have been obtained, another row inmulti-touch panel 200 can be stimulated with all others held at a DCvoltage, and the column signal capacitance measurements can be repeated.Eventually, if Vstim has been applied to all rows, and the signalcapacitance values for all columns in all rows have been captured (i.e.the entire multi-touch panel 200 has been “scanned”), a “snapshot” ofall pixel values can be obtained for the entire multi-touch panel 200.This snapshot data can be initially saved in the multi-touch subsystem,and later transferred out for interpretation by other devices in thecomputing system such as the host processor. As multiple snapshots areobtained, saved and interpreted by the computing system, it is possiblefor multiple touches to be detected, tracked, and used to perform otherfunctions.

FIG. 3a illustrates exemplary analog channel or event detection anddemodulation circuit 300. One or more analog channels 300 can be presentin the multi-touch subsystem. One or more columns from a multi-touchpanel can be connectable to each analog channel 300. Each analog channel300 can include virtual-ground charge amplifier 302, signal mixer 304,offset compensation 306, rectifier 332, subtractor 334, andanalog-to-digital converter (ADC) 308. FIG. 3a also shows, in dashedlines, the steady-state signal capacitance Csig that can be contributedby a multi-touch panel column connected to analog channel 300 when aninput stimulus Vstim is applied to a row in the multi-touch panel and nofinger, palm or other object is present, and the dynamic signalcapacitance Csig−ΔCsig that can appear when a finger, palm or otherobject is present.

Vstim, as applied to a row in the multi-touch panel, can be generated asa burst of square waves or other non-DC signaling in an otherwise DCsignal, although in some embodiments the square waves representing Vstimcan be preceded and followed by other non-DC signaling. If Vstim isapplied to a row and a signal capacitance is present at a columnconnected to analog channel 300, the output of charge amplifier 302 canbe pulse train 310 centered at Vref with a peak-to-peak (p-p) amplitudein the steady-state condition that is a fraction of the p-p amplitude ofVstim, the fraction corresponding to the gain of charge amplifier 302,which is equivalent to the ratio of signal capacitance Csig andpreamplifier feedback capacitance Cfb. For example, if Vstim includes18V p-p pulses and the gain of the charge amplifier is 0.1, then theoutput of the charge amplifier can be 1.8V p-p pulses. This output canbe mixed in signal mixer 304 with demodulation waveform Fstim 316.

Since the stimulation signal can be a square wave, it may beadvantageous to use a sinusoidal demodulation waveform to remove theharmonics of the square wave. In order to reduce the stop band ripple ofthe mixer at a given stimulation frequency, it can be advantageous touse a Gaussian shaped sinewave. The demodulation waveform can have thesame frequency as the stimulus Vstim and can be synthesised from aLookuptable, enabling generation of any shape of demodulation waveform.Besides Gaussian shaped sinewaves, other waveshapes may be programmed totune the filter characteristics of the mixers. In some embodiments,Fstim 316 may be tunable in frequency and amplitude by selectingdifferent digital waveforms in the LUT 312 or generating the waveformsdifferently using other digital logic. Signal mixer 304 may demodulatethe output of charge amplifier 310 by subtracting Fstim 316 from theoutput to provide better noise rejection. Signal mixer 304 may rejectall frequencies outside the passband, which may in one example be about+/−30 kHz around Fstim. This noise rejection may be beneficial in noisyenvironment with many sources of noise, such as 802.11, Bluetooth andthe like, all having some characteristic frequency that may interferewith the sensitive (femto-farad level) analog channel 300. Since thefrequency of the signals going into the signal mixer can have the samefrequency, the signal mixer may be thought of as a synchronousrectifier, such that the output of the signal mixer is essentially arectified waveform.

Offset compensation 306 can then be applied to signal mixer output 314,which can remove the effect of the static Csig, leaving only the effectof ΔCsig appearing as a result in result register 324. Offsetcompensation 306 can be implemented using offset mixer 330. Offsetcompensation output 322 can be generated by rectifying Fstim 316 usingrectifier 332, and mixing rectifier output 336 with analog voltage froma digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 320 in offset mixer 330. DAC 320 cangenerate the analog voltage based on a digital value selected toincrease the dynamic range of analog channel 300. Offset compensationoutput 322, which can be proportional to the analog voltage from DAC320, can then be subtracted from signal mixer output 314 usingsubtractor 334, producing subtractor output 338 which can berepresentative of the change in the signal capacitance ΔCsig that occurswhen a capacitive sensor on the row being stimulated has been touched.Subtractor output 338 is then integrated and can then be converted to adigital value by ADC 308. In some embodiments, integrator and ADCfunctions are combined and ADC 308 may be an integrating ADC, such as asigma-delta ADC, which can sum a number of consecutive digital valuesand average them to generate result and store in result register 324.

FIG. 3b is a more detailed view of charge amplifier (a virtual groundamplifier) 302 at the input of an analog channel, and the capacitancethat can be contributed by the multi-touch panel (see dashed lines) andseen by the charge amplifier. As mentioned above, there can be aninherent stray capacitance Cstray at each pixel on the multi-touchpanel. In virtual ground amplifier 302, with the + (noninverting) inputtied to Vref, the − (inverting) input is also driven to Vref, and a DCoperating point is established. Therefore, regardless of how much Csigis present, the − input is always driven to Vref. Because of thecharacteristics of virtual ground amplifier 302, any charge Qstray thatis stored in Cstray is constant, because the voltage across Cstray iskept constant by the charge amplifier. Therefore, no matter how muchstray capacitance Cstray is added to the − input, the net charge intoCstray will always be zero. Accordingly, the input chargeQsig_sense=(Csig−ΔCsig_sense)Vstim is zero when the corresponding row iskept at DC and is purely a function of Csig and Vstim when thecorresponding row is stimulated. In either case, because there is nocharge across Csig, the stray capacitance is rejected, and itessentially drops out of any equations. Thus, even with a hand over themulti-touch panel, although Cstray can increase, the output will beunaffected by the change in Cstray.

The gain of virtual ground amplifier 302 is usually small (e.g. 0.1) andis equivalent to the ratio of Csig (e.g. 2 pF) and feedback capacitorCfb (e.g. 20 pF). The adjustable feedback capacitor Cfb converts thecharge Qsig to the voltage Vout. Therefore, the output Vout of virtualground amplifier 302 is a voltage that is equivalent to the ratio of−Csig/Cfb multiplied by Vstim referenced to Vref. The high voltage Vstimpulses can therefore appear at the output of virtual ground amplifier302 as much smaller pulses having an amplitude identified by referencecharacter 326. However, when a finger is present, the amplitude of theoutput can be reduced as identified by reference character 328, becausethe signal capacitance is reduced by ΔCsig.

For noise rejection purposes, it may be desirable to drive themulti-touch panel at multiple different frequencies. Because noisetypically exists at a particular frequency (e.g., most wireless devicessend bursts at a particular frequency), changing the scanning patternmay reduce the system's susceptibility to noise. Accordingly, in someembodiments, channels (e.g., rows) of the multi-touch panel may bestimulated with a plurality of pulse train bursts. For frequencyrejection purposes, the frequency of the pulse trains may vary from oneto the other.

FIG. 3c illustrates an exemplary stimulation signal Vstim with multiplepulse trains 330 a, 330 b, 330 c, each of which have a fixed number ofpulses, but have a different frequency Fstim (e.g., 140 kHz, 200 kHz,and 260 kHz). With multiple pulse trains at different frequencies, adifferent result may be obtained at each frequency. Thus, if a staticinterference is present at a particular frequency, the results of asignal at that frequency may be corrupted as compared to the resultsobtained from signals having other frequencies. The corrupted result orresults can be eliminated and the remaining results used to compute afinal result or, alternatively, all of the results may be used.

In one embodiment, noise rejection can be accomplished by providingmultiple pulse trains at different frequencies and applying a “majorityrules” algorithm to the result. In a majority rules algorithm, for eachsensing node, the two or more values that provide the best amplitudematch are averaged and any possibly corrupt values can be disposed of.

As an example, in FIG. 4, vertical line 400 represents a spectrum ofmeasured capacitance, where one end of the spectrum may represent largervalues and the other end of the spectrum may represent smaller values(or vice versa). Markings 401, 402, and 403 represent three valuesmeasured at three different stimulus frequencies Fstim. Values 402 and403 provide the best match (because their respective values are closerto one another than with value 401), possibly suggesting that value 401is corrupted. Thus, value 401 may be discarded and values 402 and 403may averaged to form the output.

Alternatively, a median filter could be applied, in which case value 402would be selected, i.e., the median value of the values shown in FIG. 4.As yet another alternative, all of the results can be averaged.Accordingly, the three results of FIG. 4 would have a resulting valuesomewhere between value 401 and 402. A variety of other noise rejectiontechniques for multiple sample values will be obvious to those skilledin the art, any of which may suitably be used with the controllerdescribed herein.

In one embodiment, the frequencies for the individual burst can beselected based on passband characteristics of a mixer and subsequent lowpass filter. The width of the passband can be a function of the numberof stimulus cycles and, thus, integration interval in a given burst, andthe shape of the given synthesized demodulation waveform. Typically, thelonger the integration time the narrower the passband. The burstfrequencies can be chosen so as to prevent overlap between theindividual passbands. If, for example the passband is +/−15 kHz centeredaround a given stimulation frequency then the stimulation frequenciesmay be at least 30 kHz apart, otherwise the individual passbands can beoverlapping and any noise that falls between the passbands would likelycorrupt both frequency channels. Accordingly, for the +/−15 kHzpassband, frequencies at 170 kHz, 200 kHz and 230 kHz could be used.However, to allow for some extra margin, extra buffer (e.g. 5 Khz oneach side of the individual passband) could be added. In this case,stimulation frequencies would be 160 kHz, 200 kHz and 240 kHz.

In one embodiment, the duty-cycle of the stimulation signal is alwayskept at 50%, even during the transition of the stimulation frequenciesfrom, e.g., 160 kHz to 200 Khz. To maintain 50% duty-cycle a pixel clockcan be kept switched on transitions of a pixel clock divider thatgenerates the stimulus signal. Thus is because any modulation of theduty-cycle on the stimulus during transitions can cause modulation ofthe average value (e.g., Vref) of the stimulus coming out of the chargeamplifier. This may cause saturation in the charge amplifier (which inturn may cause loss of information) and offset drift.

Other frequency variation arrangements are also possible, includingapplying fewer than three stimulus frequencies Fstim at a given channel,applying more than three stimulus frequencies Fstim, applying thestimulus frequencies Fstim in a quasi random or random sequence ratherthan the ordered pattern described above, and adaptive frequencyvariation, in which the stimulus frequencies Fstim are selected based onthe noise environment or previous noise results.

Multiple stimulus frequencies Fstims may be applied in different ways tothe multi-touch panel. In some embodiments, the same Fstim may besequentially applied to all channels (rows) (i.e., scanning one frame ata single stimulus frequency), and then repeated for the other, differentfrequencies. In other embodiments, a low, medium and high frequencyFstim may be applied to one channel, before moving on to the nextchannel. After an entire “image” is captured, it may be processed. Insome embodiments, a lookup table may be used to synthesize ademodulation waveform. The feedback capacitance Cfb and offset may alsobe programmable.

Referring back to FIG. 1, channel scan logic 110 can be an interfacebetween analog channel block 108, driver logic 114 and RAM 112. Becauseit may be desirable to autonomously scan multi-touch panel 124 as abackground process with little or no interference from a processor (suchas processor 102), channel scan logic 110 carries out functions thatthat may be implemented without intervention from a processor. By havingchannel scan logic perform scanning functions, a sensor panel processor,such as processor 102, can be freed up to perform other tasks or bepowered down to conserve power.

Channel scan logic 110 can control a variety of functions. Thesefunctions include, but are not limited to: generating row count;selecting one or more scanning frequency bands; generating timingsequences and obtaining result data; moving data to DTCM when not inautoscan mode (e.g., while in scan-assist mode); comparing scan resultdata against a threshold value (e.g., in an auto-scan mode); powermanagement control; and performing an auto-scan routine in a low powermode. In one embodiment, channel scan logic 110 is programmed toimplement three different modes of operation: stand-alone, master andslave mode. Exemplary master and slave modes of operation are disclosedin more detail in Applicant's concurrently filed U.S. application Ser.No. 11/650,042 entitled “Master/Slave Mode for Sensor ProcessingDevices,” filed on Jan. 3, 2007 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,848,825 onDec. 7, 2010, the contents of which are herein incorporated byreference.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating channel scan logic 110 inaccordance with one embodiment. One skilled in the art will appreciatethat channel scan logic 110 can be formed in a number of different waysto accomplish one or more of the functions described in this disclosure.

Channel scan logic 110 may include channel timing and delay generationlogic. Channel timing generator 602 generates a timing sequence for ananalog to digital converter (ADC), for example ADC 308 of FIG. 3a andfor the corresponding sensor panel 126. In one embodiment, channeltiming generator 602 produces timing sequences (e.g., the ADC_CH signalin FIG. 7) having three distinct sections:

-   -   ADC reset: this section clears an ADC and its digital output        register at the beginning of a timing sequence;    -   ADC acquisition period: this section is the time used to acquire        an output; and    -   ADC result register write: at an end of the acquisition period,        the ADC output is stored in a result register, then moved to a        channel scan result register file and then transferred to a        memory unit, such as a data tightly coupled memory (DTCM), for        processing.

In one embodiment, timing generator 602 is a state machine. A statemachine can comprise logic circuitry formed using any one of a pluralityof designs and technologies, including ASIC designs, field programmablegate array designs and general purpose processor technology whoseoperation logic is defined by software. In general, however, a statemachine is formed to define operational logic to carry out the functionsdescribed herein.

Further to FIG. 6, counter timer MCNT 604 tracks a sampling time (e.g.,the ADC acquisition period time it takes to sample sensor panel 124).Counter MCNT can be reset at a beginning of a timing sequence and can beclocked by clock signal MCLK, which is a divided version of a clocksignal PCLK. Clock signal MCLK may be generated by a divider MCND_DIV606, which divides clock signal PCLK by a counter divide ratio MCND_DIV.The counter divide ratio MCND_DIV can be, for example, 1, 2, 4, or 8,and can be programmable through and provided by a count divide register(not shown). A timing sequence is completed and ADC result registers 324are updated after counter MCNT 604 reaches a value equal to apredetermined number of demodulated signal values NUMDEM plus apredetermined delay value DCL_REG, as will be explained in furtherdetail below.

In one embodiment, the number of demodulated signal values NUMDEM is thetotal number of demodulator values used to form a demodulated waveform.The value NUMDEM can be programmable through and provided to the MCNTcounter 604 by a number count register (not shown). The MCNT signal,which can be generated from the MCNT counter 604, can be an address usedto retrieve demodulator values DMOD from demodulator lookup table 608.Due to band pass filter characteristics of many sensor panels, such asmulti-touch panel 124, a feedback signal (e.g., output of the sensorpanel) may be delayed with respect to a stimulus signal driving thesensor panel. Therefore, delay logic 610 can be implemented to delay ademodulation waveform with respect to a feedback signal to compensatefor any sensor panel delay. A DCL memory unit (e.g., RAM) can store aDCL value for every panel pixel. The size of the DCL memory unit can beN×M, whereas N is the number of rows and M is the number of columns. Inone embodiment, a row and column vector is used. The row vector can haveas many DCL values as there are rows in the panel and the column vectorcan have as many DCL values as there are columns in the panel. The DCLvalue for each channel can then be calculated by summing the columnvalue associated with that channel and the row value associated with therow currently being processed.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, to delay ademodulation waveform, the output from demodulator lookup table 608 isfed into shift register 610 a and multiplexer 612 a. A delayed versionof the demodulator lookup table value DMOD is applied to analog channeln while scanning a corresponding row based on an appropriate DCL_REGvalue. Similarly, in one embodiment, an ADC control signal (DMOD_VAL)for channel n (which can indicate to analog channel n whether thedelayed DMOD being applied to channel n is valid) can be delayedaccording to the corresponding DCL_REG value via shift register 610 band multiplexer 612 b.

Further understanding of the timing features of channel scan logic 110may be had with reference to a timing sequence 700 illustrated in FIG.7. In this exemplary sequence 700, while scanning a corresponding row,channel n has a delay value DCL_REG of three (DCL_REG=3). Stimulationsignal STM is a signal driving a sensor (e.g., senor 126) via a paralleldriver interface (e.g., driver logic 118). Stimulation signal STM may bederived from a clock signal PCLK generated from PLCK generator 614 anddivided by stimulation divider 616.

Channel timing sequence 700 can be initiated by a falling edge of thestimulation signal STM at time TO. The value MCNT, which represents theaddress to the demodulator lookup table 608, is incremented by clocksignal MCLK on every second rising edge of clock signal PCLK because thecounter divide ratio is two in this example (MCNT_DIV=2). Accordingly, ademodulator value DMOD corresponding to the current MCNT value isretrieved on the next rising edge of clock signal MCNT. The demodulatorsignal for channel n (DMOD_CH[N]) and the DMOD_VAL for channel n(DMOD_VAL[N]) are delayed with respect to the demodulator multiplierDMOD and ADC control signal DMOD_VAL by way of shift register 610 a anddelay value of channel n DCL_REG[N] (which in this example equals threePCLK cycles because DCL_REG=3).

At time T1, after the last delayed demodulator value DMOD_CH[N] hasreached channel n, DMOD_VAL[N] is de-asserted, the corresponding ADCresult register 324 is updated and the ADC control signal and MCNTcounter 604 are reset in preparation for the next timing sequence. Thenext timing sequence may be initiated on the next falling edge ofstimulation signal STM.

Further to FIG. 6, Channel logic 110 may also control a range of rows ofa sensor panel to be sampled during a given scan as well as the mannerin which the rows are scanned. In one embodiment, BPRE_DIV value can beused to configure the number of timing sequences performed per row, eachat a different frequency The low timing sequence may be associated witha stimulus signal modified by a PCLK_LODIV value received from aPCLK_LODIV register (not shown) in PCLK generator 614. Similarly, mediumand high timing sequences may be associated with stimulus frequenciesprogrammed via PCLK_MIDIV and PCLK_HIDIV registers (not shown),respectively.

In one embodiment, BCNT_LO and BCNT_HI registers may contain parametersused to adjust a range of rows to be scanned. For example, when a newrange of rows is to be scanned, a BCNT register (not shown) can beupdated with the most recent BCNT_LO value. If the next row in asequence is equivalent to the BCNT_HI value, a flag (FRAME-DONE_FLAG) isset to indicate that all rows in a frame are scanned.

In one embodiment, individual row can be enabled via a row mask register(ROW_MSK), by setting a bit associated with a row (e.g., to 1).Similarly, resetting a bit associated with a row (e.g., 0) can disablean associated row. Accordingly, if a row is disabled, that row is notscanned. When a channel timing sequence completes a row, Row addressGenerator 618 can advance the row count (BCNT) to the next enabled row.This BCNT can be routed to the interface of the high voltage driver 118to determine which row of sensor panel 124 driver logic 114 should applystimulation to.

A channel mask CH_MSK can also be used in a similar fashion as the rowmask ROW_MSK to enable and disable particular channels during one ormore scans of a sensor panel.

Timing sequences may be programmable via a scan pattern SCAN_PATregister (not shown). For example, a scan pattern value SCAN_PAT appliedto row address generator 618 and Channel timing Generator 602 cancontrol a scan pattern for a total of two rows or six individual timingsequences when three different timing sequences are used. In oneembodiment, a scan pattern value SCAN_PAT can vary the timing asfollows: low-medium-high in a first row and high-medium-low in a secondrow. In another embodiment, the scan pattern value SCAN_PAT can vary thetiming as follows: low-medium-high in a first row and low-medium-high ina second row.

In some embodiments, the ADC result data may be transferred from resultregister 324 to DTCM automatically. For example, multi-touch subsystem106 may have a temporary buffer to store a plurality of channels worthof data. In addition to ADC result register 324, result register file622 can be reserved for storing result data, enabling storage of ADCresults acquired at various frequencies of a stimulation signal (e.g.,low, medium and high), or of ADC results acquired for various rows.Result register file 622 contents may be automatically transferred toDTCM dependant on the setting of flags (ARM_BUF) of processor 102. Thisenables transfer of a plurality of rows worth of data to DTCM (ifprocessor 102 desires) while a new timing sequence is in progress.

Referring back to FIG. 6, channel scan logic 110 may also includeauto-scan logic 620. In general, auto-scan logic 620 may be used toautonomously scan a plurality of sensors without intervention from aprocessor, such as the multi-touch processor 102. This is referred to as“auto-scan mode”. Auto-scan mode enables the system 100 to completelyshut down one or more processors and high frequency system clocks,thereby conserving power. When activity is detected during an auto-scanmode, a processor may be activated to check for valid data. An exampleof auto-scan logic is discussed in more detail in Applicant'sconcurrently filed U.S. application Ser. No. 11/650,040 entitled“Multi-touch Auto Scanning,” filed on Jan. 3, 2007 and published as U.S.Published Application No. 2008/0162996 on Jul. 3, 2008, the contents ofwhich are incorporated by reference herein.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, channelscan logic 110 may implement scanning functions in a number of differentways. Four exemplary implementations include a continuous mode, arow-by-row mode, a frame-by-frame mode and a dual frame mode. Each ofthese modes is discussed below in more detail.

A continuous mode, in accordance with one embodiment, comprises scanninga sensor panel, such as panel 124 continuously until the processorexplicitly asks channel scan logic 110 to stop scanning, or until allmemory units designated for result data (e.g., result registers 324,result register file 622, and DTCM buffer) are full. ADC result data canbe continuously moved from result registers 324 (in analog channel 300,1 per channel) to the result register file 622 in channel scan logic 110to a DTCM buffer (in DTCM). The scanning can stop, as mentioned above,when result registers 324 are occupied, the result register file 622 isfull, and the processor signals that it cannot take any more data to theDTCM buffer for processing. Channel scan logic can start scanning againonce the processor allows more data to be moved to the DTCM buffer(e.g., by setting an appropriate ARM_BUF flag), which in turn, allowsdata to be moved from result registers 324 to result register file 622,which, in turn, releases result registers 324 to store data for a nextscan.

In one embodiment, a row-by-row mode generally comprises scanning afirst row of multi-touch panel 124 and then waiting to scan a next rowuntil a processor provides channel scan logic with permission to do so.An associated processor may require that the data received from a firstscan be processed before giving permission to scan a second row.

A frame-by-frame mode generally comprises scanning an entire frame of asensor panel, such as panel 124, and then waiting until processor 102provides channel scan logic 110 with permission to scan the frame againor a further frame. In one embodiment, an associated processor processesthe data received from a first frame scan before giving permission toperform a second frame scan. In one embodiment, the channel scan logicpowers down the ADC channels in between frame scans to reduce powerconsumption.

A dual frame mode can be a sub-mode of continuous mode andframe-by-frame mode. For example, the channel scan logic 110 can operatein continuous mode or a combination of continuous mode and dual framemode. In continuous mode, the channel scan logic may use a set ofselection (received from register INMUX, not shown) to multiplex columnsof multi-touch panel 124 to analog channels 108, and a set of channelmask CH_MSK. In combination of continuous mode and dual frame mode, thechannel scan logic may use two sets of selection (received from registerINMUX0 and INMUX1, not shown) to multiplex columns of multi-touch panel124 to analog channels 108, and two sets of channel masks (CH_MSK0 andCH_MSK1, not shown). The channel scan logic uses INMUX0 and CH_MSK0 whenscanning the multi-touch panel the 0^(th), 2^(nd), 4^(th) . . . n^(th)times. It uses INMUX1 and CH_MSK1 when scanning the 1^(st), 3^(rd),5^(th) . . . (n+1)^(th) times.

In other implementations, channel scan logic 110 may be programmed touse only a few channels or skip every-other channel or row. Row masks orchannel masks, as described above, can be enabled so that scans skiprows or channels, respectively. Accordingly, channel scan logic 110 canbe very flexible.

FIG. 8a illustrates an exemplary computing system 800 utilizing bothtouch sensors and proximity sensors according to some embodiments of theinvention. The computing system 800 may correspond to computing devicessuch as desktops, laptops, tablets or handhelds, including personaldigital assistants (PDAs), digital audio and/or video players and mobiletelephones. The computing system 800 may also correspond to publiccomputer systems such as information kiosks, automated teller machines(ATM), point of sale machines (POS), industrial machines, gamingmachines, arcade machines, vending machines, airline e-ticket terminals,restaurant reservation terminals, customer service stations, libraryterminals, learning devices, and the like.

The computing system 800 may include one or more multi-touch panelprocessors 802 and peripherals 804, and a multi-touch subsystem 806. Themulti-touch subsystem 806 may include, but is not limited to, analogchannels 808, channel scan logic 810 and driver logic 814. The channelscan logic 810 may access RAM 812, autonomously read data from theanalog channels and provide control for the analog channels. Thiscontrol may include multiplexing columns of multi-touch panel 824 oroutputs of proximity sensors 834 to analog channels 808. In addition,channel scan logic 810 may control the driver logic and the scanning ofmulti-touch panel 834 and proximity sensors 834 (i.e., controlling theapplication of stimulation signals to individuals rows of multi-touchpanel 824 and proximity sensors 834).

Driver logic 814 may provide multiple multi-touch subsystem outputs 816and may present a proprietary interface that drives high voltage driver818. High voltage driver 818 may provide level shifting from a lowvoltage level to a higher voltage level, providing a bettersignal-to-noise (S/N) ratio for noise reduction purposes. The highvoltage driver outputs may be sent to decoder 820, which may selectivelyconnect one or more high voltage driver outputs to one or moremulti-touch panel row or proximity sensor inputs 822 through aproprietary interface and enable the use of fewer high voltage drivercircuits in high voltage driver 818. Each multi-touch panel row input822 may drive one or more rows in multi-touch panel 824 or one or moreproximity sensors 834. Proximity sensors 834, although illustrated as aproximity sensor panel having evenly spaced proximity sensors forpurposes of illustration only, may also be a proximity sensor panel withunevenly spaced or clustered proximity sensors, one or more rows ofproximity sensors, or even a single proximity sensor. Furthermore,although FIG. 8 shows separate multi-touch panel 824 overlaying separateproximity sensor panel 834, in some embodiments the multi-touch andproximity sensor panels may be integrated together, or adjacent to eachother without any overlap.

Array of touch-sensitive pixels 826 in the multi-touch panel 824 may beable to capture an “image” of touch. Additionally, the one or moreproximity sensors 834, which may be located within multi-touch panel 824or separate from the panel, may also be able to capture an “image” oftouch or hover. In other words, after multi-touch subsystem 106 hasdetermined whether a hover event has been detected at each proximitysensor, the pattern of proximity sensors at which a hover event occurredmay be viewed as an “image” of hover (e.g. a finger-shaped pattern)).The columns of multi-touch panel 824 and one or more proximity sensors834 may drive analog channels 808 in multi-touch subsystem 806.

Computing system 800 may also include host processor 828 for performingadditional functions that may not be related to multi-touch panelprocessing, and may be coupled to program storage 832 which may include,but is not limited to, Read-Only Memory (ROM), Random-Access Memory(RAM), a hard disk drive, removable storage media that may include, forexample, CD-ROM, DVD, PC-CARD, flash, floppy disk, magnetic tape, and anetwork component. Host processor 828 may also be coupled to displaydevice 830 for providing a user interface (UI) to a user of the device.Display device 830 may be configured to display a graphical userinterface (GUI) that may include a pointer or cursor as well as otherinformation to the user. By way of example, display device 830 may be amonochrome display, color graphics adapter (CGA) display, enhancedgraphics adapter (EGA) display, variable-graphics-array (VGA) display,super VGA display, liquid crystal display (e.g., active matrix, passivematrix and the like), cathode ray tube (CRT), plasma display and thelike.

Computing system 800 in the example of FIG. 8a may be able toadvantageously implement a number of functions using both touch sensorsand proximity sensors as input devices, providing enhanced capabilitiesnot possible with only touch sensor inputs. For example, the touchsensors may be utilized to implement the function of “pushing” a virtualbutton that appears on the multi-touch panel due to an underlying LCDwhen a finger touches down over the virtual button, while the proximitysensors may be utilized to implement the function of “pushing” a virtualbutton when a finger merely hovers over the virtual button withoutactually making contact with the multi-touch panel. Additionally oralternatively, merely by placing a finger, hand or other object near aproximity sensor, a user may be able to turn the entire multi-touchpanel on or off, turn portions of the panel on or off, power down aparticular subsystem such as the multi-touch subsystem, enable onlycertain features, dim or brighten the display, etc. Additionally oralternatively, merely by placing a finger, hand or other object near aproximity sensor, the proximity sensor may cause virtual buttons on theLCD to be highlighted without actually “pushing” those buttons, to alertthe user that a virtual button is about to be pushed should the useractually touch the multi-touch panel.

FIG. 8b illustrates an exemplary mobile telephone 836 that may includemulti-touch panel 824, proximity sensors 834, display device 830, andother computing system blocks in computing system 800 of FIG. 8a . Inthe example of FIG. 8b , if a user's cheek or ear is detected by one ormore proximity sensors, computing system 800 may determine that mobiletelephone 836 is being held up to the user's head, and therefore some orall of multi-touch subsystem 806, multi-touch panel 824 and proximitysensors 834 may be powered down along with display device 830 to savepower. One or more proximity sensors can also detect that the device isinside a pocket, with the same result.

FIG. 8c illustrates an exemplary digital audio/video player that mayinclude multi-touch panel 824, proximity sensors 834, display device830, and other computing system blocks in the computing system 800 ofFIG. 8 a.

While this invention has been described in terms of several preferredembodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, whichfall within the scope of this invention. For example, the term“computer” does not necessarily mean any particular kind of device,combination of hardware and/or software, nor should it be consideredrestricted to either a multi purpose or single purpose device.Additionally, although the embodiments herein have been described inrelation to touch screens, the teachings of the present invention areequally applicable to touch pads or any other touch surface type ofsensor. Furthermore, although the disclosure is primarily directed atcapacitive sensing, it should be noted that some or all of the featuresdescribed herein may be applied to other sensing methodologies. Itshould also be noted that there are many alternative ways ofimplementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. It istherefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted asincluding all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: channel scanlogic configurable for being coupled to an event-sensitive panel thatprovides one or more output signals indicative of an event condition onthe panel; wherein the channel scan logic is further configurable toadjust a range of rows on the panel to be automatically scanned in asingle low-power scan to detect an event condition substantially free ofprocessor control.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1, the channel scanlogic further configurable for adjusting a number of timing sequences tobe applied to each row being automatically scanned.
 3. The electronicdevice of claim 1, the channel scan logic further configurable foradjusting a number of signal frequencies to be applied to each row beingautomatically scanned.
 4. The electronic device of claim 1, the channelscan logic further configurable for adjusting an order of a number ofsignal frequencies to be applied to each row being automaticallyscanned.
 5. The electronic device of claim 1, the channel scan logicfurther configurable to wake up a processor upon the detection of theevent condition.
 6. The electronic device of claim 1, the channel scanlogic further configurable for autonomously scanning the range of rowson the panel by repeatedly stimulating the range of rows on the panelwith an AC signal until a request is received from a processor to stopscanning.
 7. The electronic device of claim 1, the channel scan logicfurther configurable for autonomously scanning one row of the range ofrows on the panel by stimulating the one row with an AC signal andwaiting to scan another row until a request is received from a processorto scan another row.
 8. The electronic device of claim 1, the channelscan logic further configurable for autonomously scanning the range ofrows on the panel with an AC signal in one frame and waiting to scan therange of rows in another frame until a request is received from aprocessor to scan another frame.
 9. A method of scanning an eventsensitive panel, comprising: adjusting a range of rows on the panel tobe automatically scanned in a single low-power scan to detect an eventcondition substantially free of processor control; autonomously scanningthe range of rows on the panel for the event condition; detecting theevent condition on the panel; and waking up a processor upon thedetection of the event condition.
 10. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising adjusting a number of timing sequences to be applied to eachrow being automatically scanned.
 11. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising adjusting a number of signal frequencies to be applied toeach row being automatically scanned.
 12. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising adjusting an order of a number of signal frequencies to beapplied to each row being automatically scanned.
 13. The method of claim9, further comprising autonomously scanning the range of rows on thepanel by repeatedly stimulating the range of rows on the panel with anAC signal until a request is received from the processor to stopscanning.
 14. The method of claim 9, further comprising autonomouslyscanning one row of the range of rows on the panel by stimulating theone row with an AC signal and waiting to scan another row until arequest is received from the processor to scan another row.
 15. Themethod of claim 9, further comprising autonomously scanning the range ofrows on the panel with an AC signal in one frame and waiting to scan therange of rows in another frame until a request is received from theprocessor to scan another frame.
 16. A non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium having stored thereon instructions which, when executedby a programmable electronic device, causes the electronic device toperform a method comprising: adjusting a range of rows on anevent-sensitive panel to be automatically scanned in a single low-powerscan to detect an event condition substantially free of processorcontrol; autonomously scanning the range of rows on the panel for theevent condition; detecting the event condition on the panel; and wakingup a processor upon the detection of the event condition.
 17. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, the methodfurther comprising adjusting a number of timing sequences to be appliedto each row being automatically scanned.
 18. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 16, the method furthercomprising adjusting a number of timing sequences to be applied to eachrow being automatically scanned.
 19. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 16, the method furthercomprising adjusting a number of signal frequencies to be applied toeach row being automatically scanned.
 20. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 16, the method furthercomprising adjusting an order of a number of signal frequencies to beapplied to each row being automatically scanned.